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Retired electrician John Binsley was found dead on a beach near Skegness – after his neighbours in a Staffordshire village had not seen him for ‘several months’. A report by medics following the 71-year-old’s death has found he had taken excessive amounts of paracetamol and codeine.
Staffordshire Police detectives say Mr Binsley, from Yoxall, had been first reported missing on June 23 – days before he was found on the beach near a Butlins holiday resort on June 28. An inquest into his death was told his neighbours hadn’t seen him for several months.
The hearing was told that he had suffered from depression and had taken an overdose in 2010. However, in 2012 he was discharged after getting help.
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StaffordshireLive reports how in 2013, he started to suffer from anxiety attacks but was discharged again in 2018. The same year, he was found collapsed outside Burton’s Queen’s Hospital having taken an overdose of pills, as well as drinking a quantity of beer.
The inquest was told how Mr Howard, who lived in a house he once shared with his mother before her death, had been in a relationship with a woman who sadly died in 2020 from Covid-19.
Assistant coroner Jayne Wilkes read out a statement from Mr Binsley’s sister Janet Dugmore in which his sibling said: “He became an electrician and trained to be a glider pilot, something he was very proud of. He would often buy himself the latest gadget before tossing to one side. In 2011 he met a lady friend who died from covid in 2020.”
Police had received reports of a body on the beach at Ingoldmells near the Butlins resort. A post-mortem examination showed he had drowned. A toxicology report found he had excessive levels of paracetamol and codeine in his system. However the coroner ruled the levels were unlikely to have played a part in his death.
After he had been reported missing, DC Daniel Douglas, of Lichfield CID, confirmed the house was searched. In the upstairs bedroom, there was writing on the wall suggesting he might take his own life. They also found his will and letters addressed to family members. However these letters were old and had been written a while ago, said the coroner.
His sister also said in her statement: “The house in Yoxall was unloved and uncared for, this caused him much stress and anxiety. He was a lonely and private person and had a quiet life. I do believe he had some mental health issues but he was well-turned out, clean, tidy and presentable.”
A narrative verdict was recorded. The coroner said: “We do not know what he was thinking and it may have been a possible accidental death. I am recording a narrative verdict. On June 28 he was pronounced deceased on Skegness beach. He had a significant medical history and previously had received mental health support.
“The direct cause of death is drowning and there was some indication of taking an overdose. There was no evidence of recent suicidal intention. The circumstances do not proceed the required level to rule suicide. I would like to express my severe condolences to his family.”
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